Automatic train-pipe-connector support



W. P. MURPHY. -AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG- I4, 191?.

Patented June 1,4, 1921.

UNITED STATES f PATENT ePrice.

P IUERI'HYJ, 10F CHICAGO, ILLIN'DIS.

4Atrfroiim'rio TRAINLrirn-CONNECTOR surrorvr..

T0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WALTER I. MURPHY, a citizen of vthe United States, residing `at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Train-Pipe- Connector Supports, of which the following is a specification.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an end elevation of a car broken away, showing my invention in posi tion. v

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 Fig. 1.

As is well known the primary object of a train pipe connector is to provide a means whereby to effect the coupling of the air brake7 signal, steam and electrical conductors, simultaneously with the coupling of two cars er a car and an engine, which will in like manner become disengaged when the cars are separated.

One of the serious problems in connection with a connector is the proper mounting of the same; some have suspended the connector from the sills of the car, others have suspended it from the coupler thus necessitating changes in the coupler all of which is objectionable and reduces the efficiency of the connector. One of the objections to suspending the connector from the coupler is that a change must be made in the standard coupler to do this; another objection is that the coupler is frequently damaged and must be removed which necessitates a disorganization and reorganization of the connector each time.

At industrial/ plants and at terminals curves are, as a rule, very sharp and it is therefore customary to elevate the outside rail, and on such curves; if the pipe connector is hung rigidly from the car, as was formally customary, the connector of one car would be tangent tothe connector of an oncoming car which would result in false connection because the connectors are not in alinement with each other.

The primary object of my invention is to swingingly mount the connector on the car so that the units of the connector are always in line with each other and thus assure a proper connection.

A further object of my invention is to susspeciiiatidn of Letters'ratent. Patented June 14, 1921, Application mea August i4, 1917,. serial No. 186,135.

pend a connector from a swinging carry iron; and with these and minor 'objects `in view my invention consistsofthe parts and combination of parts as willbe hereinafter pointed out.

The connector shown in the drawing is of the Robinson type substantially as shown in Reissue Patent 13,138, and the carry iron is of the type shown in the Sisson patents of December 9, 1913, one of which is numbered 1,080,724, hence I make no claim herein to the constructions shown in said patents.

The carry iron 1 is pivotally secured at each end to the lower ends of the links 2, the upper ends of said links being provided with trunnions 3 which have their support in bearings l in the striking castings 5, whereby the carry iron is swingingly mounted and a quicker and more positive draw bar centering action is thus obtained and weak parts of the structure are relieved from un due strain.

The connector 6 is rigidly secured to the carry iron in any suitable manner whereby it is always in center for quick positive connection. The means for connecting the connectors to the carry iron which I have selected for illustrating my invention consists of an arm or bar 7 to the lower end of which the frame8 of the connector is secured. The upper end of the bar is provided with a recess 9 and a shoulder 10, and terminates in an upri ht member 11. The arm 7 is provided with a strengthening rib 12.

As will be seen the carry iron is substan tially I shape in cross section. I have utiiized one of the base ianges thereof as a hanger for the arm 7, said flange projecting into the recess 9 and there being a substantial lateral bearing contact between said flange and recess the tendency of the arm 7 to swing laterally is thereby materially reduced and considerable strain and all shearing action is removed from the rivets 13 which secure the upper end of the arm 7 to the carry iron. The bottom of the base flange affords a wide bearing for the shoulder 10 of the arm 7 which further eliminates lateral swing of the arm and affords a bearing for the arm to sustain it against the tendency to swing backward. I may use a washer plate 14 on the rear face of the carry iron.

suspended therefrom.

From the above it will be seen that by suspending the connector from the carry iron I amV enabled to keep the connector in the center line of the car to assure its proper operation.

\ What I claim is v l. In a device of the character specified, the combination with a swingingly mounted carry iron, of a train pipe coupler suspended from said iron whereby the said coupler is maintained in the center line of a car to insure its proper operation.

2. In combination with a swinging carry iron for car couplers, a train pipe connector 3. In combination with a swinging carry face of the carry iron,

iron for car couplers, a train rigidlly suspended therefrom.

4. n a train pipe connection, the combination with a carry iron having laterally extending base flanges, of a train pipe hanger secured to said carry iron; said hanger comprising an arm, having a recess near its upper end to receive one of the base anges ofthe carry iron, a shoulder below said recess, adapted to engage the under and a rib projecting forwardly from the face of the arm, and a train pipe secured to the lower end of said arm. Y

' In testimony whereof I aHx my signature. WALTER P. MURPHY'.

pipe connector 

